EZ Handles

ABSTRACT

A two part assembly consisting of a bracket that attaches to the frame of reclining chaise lounge style chairs to support the function of a Lever Arm that attaches to the seat back support arm and allows the user to easily adjust the angle of the seat back from a seated position. The support bracket mounts to the frame of the chair in order to support and guide the Lever Arm and is not limited to a specific frame design. The Lever Arm is attached to the back support arm of the seat and controls its movement utilizing handles that are accessible by the chairs occupant from a seated position. The assembly can be retro-fitted to existing chairs or incorporated into the design of new chairs during the manufacturing process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While sitting in a reclining chaise lounge style chair at my local swim club, I noticed that whenever someone wanted to adjust the angle of the back support portion of the chair they were using, they had to get out of the chair to manually adjust the seat back angle. They would then return to a seated position to see if the adjusted angle delivered the comfort they desired. If further adjustments were needed the process was repeated until the best angle was achieved.

After observing this process numerous times it became obvious how inefficient the process was to adjust the typical pool lounge chair and I attempted to adjust my chair from a seated position. I found it to be a difficult process requiring the twisting of the torso and the uncomfortable bending of my arm, elbow, wrist and hand joints.

At that point I realized that a mechanical device that would allow the easy adjustment of the seat back angle of reclining chaise lounge style chairs from the seated position would be of benefit to the millions of people who utilize this popular style of chair.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a 2-part assembly designed to facilitate the adjustment of the angle of the seat back on reclining chaise lounge style chairs. The prototype was built to retro-fit existing metal frame chairs but the invention is intended to be both a retrofit kit for existing chairs and as a design modification to be incorporated into the frame of new chairs.

The Lever Arm connects to the end of the back support arm on the chair. It extends through the frame of the chair, then bends to run parallel to the seat frame creating a handle easily accessible from the seated position while the chair is occupied. The Lever Arm facilitates the adjustment of the seat back angle by the occupant of the chair.

As a retro-fit the Chair Bracket attaches to the chair frame and supports the Lever Arm while creating the Lever Arm's path through the frame and the leverage to allow the Lever Arm to be effective. In new construction the Chair Bracket would be incorporated into the chairs seat frame and be manufactured from the same material as the seat frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A shows the Perspective View from above of the assembled EZ Handles, with the Lever Arm on top of the support bracket as it would be used on a reclining chaise lounge style chair.

FIG. 1B shows the Perspective View from the side of the assembled EZ Handles as it would be mounted on a reclining chaise lounge style chair.

FIG. 2A shows the Elevation View from the side of the Support Bracket component of the EZ Handles. Right and Left views are provided.

FIG. 2B shows the Elevation View from the front of the Support Bracket component of the EZ Handles.

FIG. 3 shows the Plan View of the Support Bracket component of the EZ Handles.

FIG. 4 shows the Elevation View from the side of the Lever Arm component of the EZ Handles.

FIG. 5 shows the Plan View of the Lever Arm component of the EZ Handles.

FIG. 6 shows a sample reclining chaise lounge style chair

FIG. 7 shows a sample reclining chaise lounge style chair with retro-fit EZ Handles installed

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a 2-part assembly designed to facilitate the adjustment of the angle of the seat back on reclining chaise lounge style chairs. The prototype was built using ½″ and ¾″ PVC pipe and fittings to retro-fit a metal framed chair that is typical of the chairs used at swim clubs and resorts.

The Lever Arm of the EZ Handles connects to the bottom rail of the back support arm which is attached to the back support of the chair. The back support arm includes the ‘hooks’ that allow the angle of the seat back to be adjusted. The lever arm wraps around the bottom rail of the back support arm, allowing it to control the movement of the back support arm and rotate as the seat back angle changes. The Lever Arm extends from the back support arm under the seat of the chair, then bends to run parallel to the seat frame creating a handle that is easily accessible from the seated position while the chair is occupied.

The Support Bracket is installed under the seat frame and defines the Lever Arm's path through the frame while limiting the Lever Arm's lateral range of motion and making the handles easy to manipulate. The Support Bracket includes a brace that runs under the seat from side to side which both supports the Lever Arm and creates the pivot point that allows the Lever Arm to easily control the adjustment of the chairs back support brace from a seated position. The Lever Arm is supported by the Support Bracket, but is not attached to it.

As a retro-fit, the Chair Bracket attaches to the chair support frame The retro-fit bracket consists of two side brackets that attach to the chair support frame on both sides of the chair. The side brackets are connected by a brace that runs underneath the seat of the chair in order to support the movement of the Lever Arm.

Both parts of the assembly are easily adjusted to fit differences in the frame design found among chair manufacturers. Necessary adjustments would primarily involve the side brackets of the bracket assembly in order to accommodate differences in the angles of the bottom rail of the support frame and in the shape or size of the material used to manufacture the support frame. Retro-fit kits would be made of PVC type material created from standard pipes and fittings, or from custom molded material. Similarly, the Lever Arm may need to be modified where it attaches to the back support arm of the chairs back support depending on the specifications of the material used to manufacture the back support arm.

When incorporated into the manufacture of new chairs, the EZ Handles chair bracket would be simplified by incorporating the bracket into the rail of the seat frame. The two side brackets would still be connected by a single brace to support the operation of the Lever Arm. When incorporating the invention into the manufacturing process of new chairs, both the Support Bracket and the Lever Arm would be manufactured from the same material as the chair frame.

Steps for use of apparatus:

In fully reclined horizontal position:

-   -   1) Grip left and right handles at the end     -   2) Pull up at elbows     -   3) Move forward with shoulders     -   4) Press down with shoulders     -   5) Adjust recliner to desirable reclined position     -   6) Release hands from handles

In non-horizontal (upright position) reclined position:

-   -   1) Grip left and right handles at the end     -   2) Press down with shoulders     -   3) Pull handles with hands and shoulders to desired recliner         setting in a forward or backwards motion     -   4) Release hands from handles 

1. An apparatus designed to facilitate the operation of reclining chaise lounge style chairs. Specifically, a mechanism that allows the chairs occupant to easily change the angle of the seat back without leaving the seated position using a lever arm and support bracket to adjust the seat back angle. The apparatus is such that it can be added to existing chairs made of different materials, or integrated into the design of new chairs during the manufacturing process. 